We bought a car two years ago, Dave Ramsey-style. We traded in our front-wheel drive minivan and paid cash for the difference. (Thank you, house sale!) We had researched and read reviews, and decided to go with a Dodge Journey. It seemed like a good crossover for our family, and let’s be honest – I loved the name.

We are all on a journey.

But as we’d soon find out with our car, the journey isn’t free of issues. In fact, it’s full of them.

As followers of Jesus, we’ve been set free from our Egypts in order to worship and pursue God. We’ve left behind our old lives, and we’re headed to the Promised Land – Heaven. But the journey isn’t easy; trouble lurks in the shadows, trials loom up ahead. There are opportunities to walk by faith, and moments of doubt and discouragement.

Journeys are made up of steps, some forward and some backward. Some slow and some fast. Some end up leading us in circles, and sometimes the steps momentarily cease and rest begins.

In my daily chronological bible reading, I’ve been spending a lot of time with the Israelites and Moses. I’ve been sitting with their story, their exodus from Egypt and trek to the Promised Land. What could have taken days took years, maybe because they lacked gratitude and faith. They started to long for their former way of life, forgetting the bondage that had weighed them down.

As believers, we are free. We are children of God, and He is WITH us on our journey heavenward. We have the promise of His presence. As I shared last week from Exodus 33:14, God spoke to Moses: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Moses wasn’t sure how he could lead the Israelites. God reassured Moses of His gifts of presence and rest.

Some time passed and twelve spies were sent to check out the Promised Land. After they saw the enemies, the high walls, the giants, God spoke to them: “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them (the enemy). The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as He did in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place” (Deuteronomy 1:29-31).

With the exception of two men of faith (Joshua and Caleb), the rest of the Israelites were defeated by their doubt. Instead of walking with gratitude and faith, they let discontentment and fear get the best of them. “Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt? We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt” (Numbers 14:3-4). Moses and Aaron fall facedown; Joshua and Caleb pleaded with the people to trust God and to not be afraid.

Wherever you’re at in your journey, God’s presence is with you. And His loving presence casts out fear; it has no place to stay when He’s in the room.

He didn’t bring you this far on your journey to destroy you, to delay you, or defeat you. He’s not a father that abandons or forsakes; He carries you. He goes before, clearing a path. He walks beside you, encouraging your soul. He is your rear guard – your victory, the One who gives you rest.

By His power He has brought you to a place of freedom and made you a new creation. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6). His strength is on display, and He is able to bring you to the Promised Land.

On Monday, I read Numbers 33:1-2, and I loved the phrase: “stages in the journey.”

“Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. This is their journey by stages…”

It goes on to give a brief overview of all the places that the Israelites had camped, from Egypt to the edge of the Promised Land.

It caused me to look back on the various seasons of my life. The moves, the changes, the growth, the lulls, the struggles, the provision. So many stages of the journey.

I wrote out a quick timeline, recording my journey to this point. In my 34 years, I’ve “camped” in 14 different homes, traveling between 6 towns in 2 states. Just writing out the physical locations brought so many emotions to the surface. I’ve loved and lost, I’ve persevered and grown weary, I’ve overcome and faced defeat.

Today, I’m thankful. I’m thankful for each stage of the journey, how it shaped me and was part of the path to where I am now. And that God has been with me, every step of the way.

God is doing a new thing in this chapter. He’s revealing His Father heart in greater fashion. He’s stretching and growing me. He’s breaking chains I didn’t even know were there. He’s renewing my marriage. He’s helping us navigate life with our four unique kids. He’s teaching us unforced rhythms of grace. He’s showing us the beauty of Sabbath. He’s giving us hope for the future.

It’s my hope and prayer that we pause and look back with gratitude. Take a moment and reflect… write it out. Where have you traveled? What stages in your journey have you endured? Where has He brought you from? What has He already done on your behalf?

Next, stir up hope for where He’s taking you. Ultimately – Heaven, but there is also abundant life with Him waiting for you on this earth. Look with eyes of faith, staying fixed on Him. What might your next stage of the journey be like? What are you believing that He will do?

Be loved. Stand firm. Keep walking. Point others to Him. Speak life. Smile.

You’re exactly where you need to be. Held, loved, seen, known.

Enjoy the stage of the journey that you’re in. You’ve got an awesome Father with you, leading the way.

💗

This week’s song suggestion: The Father’s House – covered by my amazing husband, Jon Wright!

From our trip last month to San Diego; this was taken at Liberty Station!